Orca and Bear

It was a late autumn day, when the cold wind was bringing snow flurries down from the north, and the last of the winged ones, who didn't stay the winter, had at flown to warmer lands. Bear was walking along the shore, making his way toward the cave where he would sleep through winter. He was fat from eating much salmon, and late season berries, and was quite content. He was in an exceptionally good mood and was humming a song to himself.


As he walked by a cove, he heard weeping coming from the waters. He stopped and looked out into the cove, and saw the fin of Orca slowing going in circles. Bear realized it was Orca who was weeping. Bear felt compassion for Orca, and called out to her.

"Aho Orca, I hear your sad song! Why are you weeping?"

Orca stopped circling, and swam as close to the shore as she dared to without getting stuck. She looked at Bear with sad eyes. Finally she heaved a slow, heavy sigh and spoke.


"I weep because my pod is gone. Men we had never seen before came to these waters and captured or drove off all the fish. Normally we would have had plenty of fish to give us strength on our travels to new waters. But some of us grew weak from hunger and could not make the journy with the others. I am one who stayed behind. My brothers and sisters who stayed behind were weaker,and have all perished. Now I am alone, and there is nothing for me but to sing my death song and await the end."

Bear was quite moved to hear Orca's sad tale. He thought and thought of what he could do to help her. Finally, he had an idea.

"Comfort yourself my sister. I have an idea. I am on my way to my cave to sleep through the winter. I think it is large enough for both of us. We will lie close together, and be even warmer throughout the cold days and nights. Then, when spring comes you can return to the waters along with the fish that will be back by then."

Orca looked at Bear, her sad eyes now clouded with disbelief. She was touched that Bear wanted to help, but how could he be so blind as to how his suggestion could never work.

She started to speak, "But, but...how.."

Bear interrupted her, "Now now no need to thank me. It's my pleasure to help you. Come along now, we must be off so we can get settled in before the first snow." With that Bear turned and continued on his way toward his cave. He began humming even louder, even more content that he was being so helpful.

He didn't even look back to see Orca bow her head, her eyes even more filled with sadness, as she turned and swam back out into the ocean. Bear didn't even hear her renewed weeping, because the sound of it was lost to him in the wind and the noise of his own song.